Prevalence prevails
By Sharan Kumar

Ganapathy trained Prevalence who has been pretty consistent this season, reaped rich rewards, annexing the Karnataka Sub-Area Cup at the expense of Imperial Legend and Star Alone. Christopher Alford gave favourite Prince Valiant a lackluster ride. The strike called by the Jockeys Association of India had very little effect on the overall conduct of Saturday’s races. In fact, two of those who did not go with the JAI jockeys caused the two aberrations of the day. Alford gave a poor account of himself; as has been the case more often than not and jockey Prithviraj who defied the strike, clearly did not permit favourite Brave Dash to run on merits. His apparent lack of initiative was so glaring that the Stewards were quick to pounce him and withdrew his license for nine long months. It is a pity that jockeys are yet to realize the pitfalls of such tactics, which puts their career in jeopardy more than the hazards of the profession. More jockeys have fallen victims to their greed rather than the so-called dangers of the profession.

Prince Valiant, who had run behind Southern Goddess in his last outing, was being pitched in the higher class and as such, he had a comfortable weight to carry on his back. More over, the seven furlong trip was more suitable for the son of Green Forest and the strong support for him in the betting ring, was definitely not misplaced but not so much the trust in the jockey’s abilities. The other horse with credentials was Ching Mai but the daughter of Diffident who had to be walked to the starting gate and who kept swishing her tail, ran no sort of a race and was picking up momentum when the cause was hopelessly lost. Prince Valiant could have made a difference to the outcome had he been given an enterprising ride. The Stewards, who had a close look at his riding, gave him the benefit of doubt as the Stipes, surprisingly lacked enthusiasm. The Stipendiary Stewards have a distinct identity of their own and this perhaps affects their performance. 

Prevalence (B.Prakash up) winning the Karnataka Sub-Area Cup from Imperial Legend (Shoban Babu up) 

Freeze On ceremony  presentation

Imperial Legend who was up in the front, was kicking on merrily but Prevalence put paid to his hopes, with a strong run inside the final furlong to win with a great deal of comfort. Imperial Legend managed to keep the second berth ahead of Star Alone who flattered to deceive. Just Brave was fourth with Prince Valiant in close attendance. 

Brave Dash was backed to the exclusion of his rivals in the Track Lightning Plate (Div I) and with reasons too. The son of Sir Bruce had the best credentials but when the price started to drift in the betting ring, alarm bells started ringing. Brave Dash was stranded in the gates when the start was given and thereafter, the favourite stayed where he should not and finished way down the field. Legacy of Pride, with a late run, had the measure of Chandrakantha who was shaping like a winner. The Stewards dealt with Prithviraj for his antics and further comment is superfluous. The lower division of the race went the way of lesser-fancied Apprise who won with a start to finish mission, staving off the challenge of Laptop. Favourite Volga did not show up.

Miss Beautiful was none too well placed at the top of the straight but the daughter of Bee’s Prospector showed her mettle in the homestretch when decimating the opposition by a widening margin of nine lengths.  The well-bred Conqueress, full sister to the celebrated Priceless, flashed home late to occupy the second spot. 

Apprentice Uday Kiran who had served notice of his potential when he won on Flower Dew, guided friendless Coral Gables to an upset win in the 1400 metres M H Muddalinganna Memorial Plate. Hyderabad challenger Red Orchid collared the maximum support in the betting ring and he shaped like a winner but another from the same centre, Coral Gables, exploiting the pull in weights, came up with a powerful run from way behind to floor the favourite. Explosivo was faraway third. The lower division of the race went the way of Titanium who held off a belated challenge of Self Appointed who went wide at a crucial stage of the race and then had to cover plenty of leeway on the front-runner. Favourite Talented Unlimited displayed limited talent to put up a poor performance, belying the expectations raised by his last effort, which was eye-catching.

Mr. Kumara Siddanna, former Chairman and Senior Steward of BTC presenting the High Commission cup to the owner of Miss Beautiful

Coral Gobels (Uday Kiran up) winning the M H Muddalinganna Memorial Plate Div I from Red Orhid (David Badel up)

Loknath’s Romance In Rain came in for spirited support in the day’s opener and the daughter of Sir Bruce despite being literally knocked out of contention at the start, covered plenty of ground and got up just in time to edge out Dark Shadow to land an inspired touch. In the day’s other action, jockey Appu who missed out on Dark Shadow, had no problems in steering Highlevel to a start to finish victory.